Are Root Canals Painful?
Root canals sound like they would be quite painful. The dentist or endodontist must go into the root, or roots, of the tooth in order to extract diseased or infected tissue and drain abscesses. Many people are in pain prior to getting root canals because of the infection in the roots of the tooth. The pulpy matter in the root contains nerves and blood vessels that do not respond kindly to pressure. Actually, with modern anesthesia, most patients report that root canals are not any more painful than having a tooth filled. Some people may experience minor to major pain while having root canals. A few things can create this circumstance. If the area around the tooth is not properly anesthetized, one may feel some of the work being done. It’s fine to stop a dentist if you are feeling pain, since normally another application of local anesthetic can stop the pain. People who fear dentistry often have a higher expectation of pain from dental procedures. Higher expectation of pain, and anxiety